need something different? switch to b.t.s. · lenexa, ks 66215 913-541-1759 [email protected]...
TRANSCRIPT
O Scale Model Shown
P O Box 856Elkins, WV 26241
Phone: 304-637-4510Fax: 304-637-4506 Celebrating over 26 Years of Service since 1979
Web: www.btsrr.comE-Mail: [email protected]
Full Catalog - $5.00
Need something different? Switch to B.T.S. !
PRR F39 Piggyback Flat CarIn March 1955, 200 of these 75' TOFC cars were put into service on the PRR.Designed to carry two of the then-current standard 35' trailers, they were initiallyin PRR red with white lettering. Later, they became Trailer Train cars, and as of1990, over 100 were still in service.
The kit consists mostly of pewter castings which can be soldered together withlow-temp solder and iron, or glued together with a strong ACC or epoxy. Car weight with trucks and couplers is 11.4 ounces.While it will handle a 34" radius curve, it will look better on larger. Couplers, trucks, trailers, and decals are not included. The car
is designed to use the SHS 35' trailers.
#09203 S Scale PRR F39 Piggyback Flat Car $89.95
Introduced in the early 1960s, thousands of these 89’ long carswere built during the 60s and many are still in service. They haveseen duty hauling trailers, containers, autos, pipes, and just aboutanything that is long!
The kit consists mostly of pewter castings which can be solderedtogether with low-temp solder and iron, or glued together with astrong ACC or epoxy. Due to its length, very wide curves are required. Couplers, trucks, trailers, and decals are not included. Thecar is designed to use the American Models’ 40' trailers - SHS 35’ trailer shown also fits well.
#09200 S Scale F89 Piggyback Flat Car $99.95
F89 Piggyback Flat Car Trailer not included.
PRR H21 HopperStarting in 1911, 70-ton H21a "quad" hoppers wereintroduced for coal service. The original hoppers werebuilt with the "old style" double-door configuration. Duringthe 1930s and 40s, all old-style double-door hoppers werewere replaced with the "saw tooth" hopper.
The unpainted S Scale kit consists of high-quality, no-odor urethane castings for the body and brass brake components. Easyassembly with ACC or epoxy. Less decals, trucks and couplers.
#09204 S Scale H21 Hopper $ 79.95
Depressed-Center FlatcarDesigned to carry heavy and/or tall loads, the 40’, 90-ton depressed-centerflatcar is a unique car. It can be used in mainline freight service or as part ofa work train with a piece of heavy equipment on top.
The kit consists of high-quality, no-odor urethane castings for the body,trucks, and brass brake components under both ends of the car. Less decalsand couplers.
#09209 S Scale Depressed-Center Flatcar $ 59.95
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ORDERBOARD
Volume XXXI Number 3
June, 2007
President’s Message, NASG News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Jeff’s Junction and Railmail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New Products Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Convention Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Low-Side Gondola Review . . . . . . . . .Gerry Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
S Track Planning IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff Madden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
NASG AF Car Project . . . . . . . . . . . . .Doug Peck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16
S in the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-20
Spring S Spree Report . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff Madden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
S Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Club Sandwich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dave Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-27
Extra Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
S Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
NASG Website: http://www.nasg.org
NASG Website Director Michael Greene: [email protected]
STAFFJeff Madden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EditorTerry Madden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphics EditorGerry Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contributing EditorJeff Madden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Products EditorDavid Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Club EditorTed Larson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Module CornerDavid Heine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Narrow Gauge EditorBob Werre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff PhotographerJeff Madden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising ManagerBob Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor EmeritusDavid Dewey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amer. Flyer EditorBill Fraley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contributing EditorSam Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contributing Editor
The DEADLINES for articles are the 1st of February, April, June, August, October, December, for
issues dated April, June, August, October, December, February, respectively.
NOTICE TO READERS: All warranties and claims made by advertisers in the DISPATCH are the
sole responsibility of the advertiser. The NASG reserves the right to refuse any advertising material
which it feels is not reputable. The selection and/or use of the products or services and the applica-
tion or results obtained from these advertisers is the sole responsibility of the reader.
ADVERTISING RATES: Inquire regarding B&W or color rates. For additional information, contact the NASG DISPATCH Advertising Manager.
NASG DISPATCHOfficial Publication of the
National Association of S Gaugers
The NASG DISPATCH welcomes art,photographs, letters, articles and other Sgauge/scale related materials con-tributed by the membership. Send allsuch materials to the editor.
Jeff Madden438 Bron Derw Ct.Wales, WI 53183
Membership year is determined by thedate you sign up guaranteeing 6 issuesstarting with the next issue after signup.All applications, renewals and member-ship questions should be directed to:
NASG Treasurer, Michael Shea, 488 Stonewood Ave.,
Rochester, NY 14616 -3623Phone: 585-865-4978
email: [email protected]
Copyright 2007 NASG, Inc. All rightsreserved. Reproduction in whole or inpart is prohibited without permission ofthe NASG, Inc.
The Dispatch - ISSN 10457178 is
published bimonthly by
Studio G
PO Box 745
Jonestown, PA 17038-0745
Email: T .Chuck Garman at
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 year,
$20.00 which includes membership in
the NASG. All subscriptions payable in
U.S. funds. Postage is paid at
Harrisburg, PA. Printed in the USA. All
rights reserved.
Postmaster: Send address change to
Michael Shea
488 Stonewood Ave.
Rochester, NY 14616 -3623
COVER: Top photo is a scene by
Alex Sibbald on his layout using
the Pine Canyon Drive-In kit.
Lighting and a hidden speaker
playing ‘50s music add to the
night-time atmosphere. The bot-
tom photo shows the first (1981)
AF NASG project car and latest
one. Photo by Doug Peck.
NASG NEWS
The elections results for the NASG BOT officers to beinstalled at the convention this summer are as follows:
Executive Vice President - Dave Blum
Secretary - Michael Greene (re-elected)
Eastern Vice President - Monte Heppe
Central Vice President - Walt Jopke (re-elected)
Western Vice President - Gerry Evans (re-elected)
There were over 350 ballots cast.
- Jamie Bothwell, Elections Chairman
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THE NASG OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Who and where they are:
Dispatch Jeff MaddenEditor 438 Bron Derw Ct.,
Wales, WI 53183262-968-3729 [email protected]
Promotions Roy Inman8937 Country Hill Ct.,Lenexa, KS [email protected]
Promotions Tom Robinson - hi-rail65 Gooseberry Ln., Dahlonega, GA [email protected]
Engineering Bob Sherwood2837 Olive Drive,Cheyenne, WY [email protected]
Lionel/NASG Doug PeckCar Project 6 Storeybrooke Dr.,
Newburyport, MA [email protected]
NASG Special Alan EvansProjects P.O. Box 30345,Committee Gahanna, OH 43230
614-471-7277Fax: [email protected]
NASG William Mark, Jr.Clearinghouse 438 Rossway Rd.,
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569914-635-8553
NASG track gauges, coupler height gauges,patches, shirts, hats and pins.
Contest Jim WhippleChairman 1719 Middle Rd.,
Glenshaw, PA 15116412-487-3364
Election Jamie BothwellChairman 1422 W. North St.,
Bethlehem, PA [email protected]
Convention Lee JohnsonCommittee 2472 Lariat Ln.,Chairman Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Membership Mike Shea (Treasurer)488 Stonewood Ave., Rochester, NY [email protected]
NASG Dick KarnesLibrarian, 4323 86th Ave. SE, S-Mod Info Mercer Island, WA 98040
NASG Michael Greene (Secretary)Webmaster [email protected]
http://www.nasg.org
President Sam McCoy4343 N. Neva,Norridge, IL [email protected]
Executive Dick KarnesVice President 4323 86th Ave. SE,
Mercer Island, WA 98040206-232-7281 [email protected]
Secretary Michael Greene167 Westford St., Dunstable, MA 01827978-649-7010 [email protected]
Treasurer Mike Shea488 Stonewood Ave.,Rochester, NY 14616 585-865-4978 [email protected]
Eastern William FuhrmanVice President 174 Lakes Rd.,
Bethlehem, CT 06751203-266-7935 [email protected]
Central Walt JopkeVice President 6611 Countryside Dr.,
Eden Prairie, MN [email protected]
Western Gerry EvansVice President 3350 S. Justin,
Flagstaff, AZ [email protected]
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
OFFICERS
WANTEDModern Freight
Cars to be scratchbuilt.S Gauge manufacturers
don’t make a variety yet.Enter the NASG Contest!
Campaigning for 1/64 die-cast vehicles:
Finding vehicles for our layouts drives us all nuts,especially if you are particular about scale dimen-sions. Thankfully, some die-cast car and truck mod-els really are 1/64th scale such as Winross, Hartoy(now Tonkin), Ertl farm toys, Rail Master and someothers. But besides these there is a great challenge infinding die-cast vehicles that you can guarantee arethe scale to match our trains. Most of us search outthe toy stores and discount stores for reasonablypriced die-cast vehicles to populate our model high-ways, garages, fire stations and flat cars. We havediscovered that certain imported die-cast vehiclesare detailed better than others but the real size accu-racy is often in question. Racing Champions (now inlimbo), Johnny Lightining, Hot Wheels, Matchboxand Fresh Cherries seem to be the best of the lot asfar as detail and variety. If you’re like me I carryaround a 3” S scale ruler section to at least get abasic measurement of the toy assortment models.
Since the scales of many of these toys vary greatly,and thus might not be compatible in model railroadscenes, I’m somewhat picky. But since many ofthese vehicles are only a little out of scale, I still pur-chase some and use selective placement on the lay-out. Why do manufacturers produce these so-called1/64 cars in a variety of sizes is a mystery to me.They give the excuse of packaging size and playvalue, but I disagree with this philosophy. Just checkout all the variety of vehicle packaging and you’llsee what I mean.
I think manufacturers might consider sticking toactual scale proportions. Besides toy value in mar-keting, why not market to collectors of cars andtrucks, model railroaders and diorama builders? In
my mind I would produce all die-cast vehicles perscale - all Nascar cars, family vehicles, trucks, farmvehicles and military vehicles would be to exact1/64 scale. Oh, there could be less detailed versionsavailble to kids with the more detailed modelsaimed at collectors and hobbyists. I see shelf col-lectors as wanting various styles and paint schemesof Corvettes, 1955 Chevies, fire trucks, busses,army tanks etc. I see model train hobbyists as col-lecting vehicles to match the era of their modeling.I see diorama hobbyists wanting to create mini-scenes - fire-fighting, racing, military. Model rail-roaders, of course, also create mini-scenes withintheir railroad empires. So, why not enlarge the mar-ket? Typically the manufacturers argue about theplay-value to kids and tend to produce lots of flashylooking “things” often misproportioned on purpose.
Looking back at my own childhood - what were thefirst die-cast vehicles that I wanted as a seven oreight year-old? They were Dinky Toys importedfrom England that were roughly 1/48 scale withremoveable rubber tires. These were military vehi-cles, everyday sedans, English sports cars and dailywork trucks. I was fascinated by these because oftheir realism and detail. Dinky Toys did cheat onscale some too, but by and large they were 1/48scale, especially the American vehicles. Once in S Idiscovered a few trucks they cheated on were closerto 1/64 scale - the Studebaker tanker truck for exam-ple. Some of the British trucks (being of smalleractual size) can actually pass for vintage Americantrucks in S.
And finally, this brings up my constant campaign forvintage 30s-60s die-cast vehicles made to accurate1/64 proportions with accompanying accessories ofthe same scale. For example, Johnny Lightiningproduced a package with a 1/64 car but larger(maybe 1/50th) gas pumps. Nice idea, but why notthe same scale? So come on you die-cast producerslets get some accurate cars, busses, firetrucks, policecars, cabs and utility trucks out there with figures,pumps, signs etc.
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Jeff’sJunction
Prototype Modelers Meet: This year's RailroadPrototype Modelers meeting in Port Wentworth, GA(Savannah area) saw a BIG showing of S scale fromno less than THREE attendees... Fred Tolhurst, JimKing and myself... and we turned a LOT of heads!Fred's highly detailed and weathered models surelybrought many to an eye-popping halt as did Jim's
Southern Low-Side Gondola. And my models (all fac-tory painted and basically unmodified) gave many asurprise when they were told that this is what you getwhen you open the box, without extra work. I person-ally heard many comments about how folks wereamazed at how nice the S models are, and how if theywere to change scales S would be the way they'd go...along with the typical references to how they thoughtAmerican Flyer toys was all S had to offer. I, ofcourse, didn't have one drop of Flyer equipment on my
RAIL MAIL
Continued on page 30
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NEW PRODUCTS REPORTBy Jeff Madden
BTS (www.btsrr.com) has a new trans-former load kit to go along withtheir depressed center flat car. It’san Allis-Chalmers transformermade of high quality urethanecastings, laser-cut wood parts forbracing, brass wire and signs. Listis $36.95. Also BTS resceived asmall restock of loco kits: full andsemi kits for the Sn3 EBT 2-8-2#12, full kit for 0-6-0 #6, and fullkits for the three Ma & Pa 2-8-0s.A price example is $599.95 for the#41 Ma & Pa 2-8-0 full kit.
LIONEL LLC (www.lionel.com) Christmas Sgauge items are already announcedby Lionel LLC. Shown on theopposite are the blue and greenboxcar ($54.99) and the red candycane gondola car ($54.99).
MOUNTAIN PRECISIONPRODUCTS (www.mpp-models.com) Comingthis summer in S - B&O WintonPlace wood-frame depot and adja-cent buildings. Now available PRRstation and outbuildings; RabbitHash General Store. There is apossibility of an ATSF sandhousein S also. Check out the website.
NJ INTERNATIONAL(www.njinternational.com - 480-219-4135) has an upper quadrant3-position semaphore signal. It isbrass, exact S scale, has two differ-ent blades and features openingrelay cabinet door. List price is$39.99. I understand that SHS willbe offering these
RAILMASTER HOBBIES(www.railmasterhobbies.com -818-590-1729). This phone is forJeff Smith ([email protected]) who is a U.S. dealer forRailMaster. RailMaster has lots ofcast locomotives kits, vehicles,detail parts and figures. Some of
the locomotive kits are Sn3 whileothers are standard gauge. In Sn3,for example, you can get a C-16 2-8-0 kit for $499. In standard gaugeyou can purchase an Alco S-2 kitfor $135. A powered chassis for itis an additional $165. Check outthe website for the variety of locoofferings and detail items.
S HELPER SERVICE (www.showcaseline.com) SHS hasreleased 4 new roadnames of the 2bay Pullman-Standard 2003 cu. ft.covered hoppers.Our model features injectionmolded rugged ABS body anddetail parts with steel music wirehand grabs. All cars have die cast
metal trucks and Celcon® bearingsequipped with blackened metal AFcompatible wheels and AF com-patible operating couplers. Inaddition, each covered hoppercomes with 4 code 110 NMRARP-25 metal wheelsets and themounting holes for the KD 802couplers.
Covered hopper roadnames are:#01742 & #01743 Illinois CentralGulf (gray with black rail logo),#01744 & #01745 SouthernPacific (gray with large black bill-board SP lettering), #01746 ۓ Lancaster & Chester(blue/gray body with white letter-ing and logo) and #01750 Kerr-
BTS has a mostly urethane transformer kit to go with their depressed cen-ter flat car. It’s $36.95. They also have a restock of some of the all-metalsteam locomotive kits such as the Ma & Pa 2-8-0. The full kit sells for$599.95.
7
WHAT S NEW?McGee (gray with black letteringand red/white and black KerrMcGee logo).
The MSRP for our Ready-to-Run2 bay PS2 covered hopper is$42.95 These cars are availablethrough the SHS Hobby Shop net-work or call direct at 1-732-441-0555 for a listing of Hobby Shopsthat carry SHS products.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN MODEL WORKS(www.smokymountainmodel-works.com) is now taking reserva-tions for the Central of Georgiaventilated boxcar kit. Depositrequired is 50% of the kit price($70 with t&c or $64 without). A$6 S&H fee will be invoiced uponshipping.
TURNER MODEL WORKS (www.turnermodelworks.com -423-462-2228). The newest cata-log for the FinestKind line ofcraftsman laser kits was at theSpring S Spree this year. TheCOSG club actually monitoredsales of some sample kits andhanded out catalogs for Turnerwho was not able to be there inperson. Seveal other smaller man-ufacturers did the same. Thismade a lot more product availableto the attendees. Clubs -- this is agood idea to promote. Anyway,The FinestKind laser kits includemany aimed at the western narrowgauge market. Yet many have uni-versal appeal such as a 1920s gasstation for $54.99 and a miningsupply building for $59.99. Thereare also many die-cast white metalcastings available for such detailsas welding cart, garbage cans, 55-gallon drums, old-time gas pump,water tank spout, milk can, etc.
YARDMASTER MODELS([email protected])seen at the recent S Spree offersmilitary loads such as planes,tanks, etc., on flat cars. You’llhave to email the owner as thewebsite is not active. See photobelow.
Above are two Lionel LLC AF Christmas cars for 2007. Obviously one is aboxcar (blue and green) and the other is a candy cane gondola. You canguess the colors.
Seen at the Spree was a dealer called YardMaster Models. On display andfor sale were several military flat cars with military loads.
The Baltimore Area American Flyer Club is yourhost club for this years NASG NationalConvention. The Club would like to share with yousome of our activities and give you some moredetails on the 2007 Convention.
THE EARLY YEARSThe BAAFC had a simple beginning in September1992, when three people attended the first club meet-ing. At that time, there was not an American Flyer SGauge club in the Baltimore area. The first modularlayout operation was at a TTOS Annapolis meeting inDecember 1992. When you look at photographs of thefirst layout, the mystery to this day is: How did RonKolb get inside the layout?
Over the next few years, membership grew slowly butsteadily. BAAFC had 27 members at the beginning ofthe fourth year, 85 members at the beginning of theseventh year, and has a current membership of about150.
Since its founding, the Club has followed a simpleorganization mission: "It’s just for the fun of it." TheClub also follows four basic "non-rules": (1) no dues;(2) no officers, officials or official staff; (3) no consti-tution or by-laws; and (4) operate on consensus ofmajority rules but the minority has to be able to goalong with it or we just don’t do it.
CLUB ACTIVITIESThe clubs regular activities consist of monthly clubmeetings, an annual Winter Solstice dinner with fami-ly, and operating our layout at about ten commercialshows and ten community, school, and organizationevents. Over the years the locations have been many:Annapolis, Brunswick, Glen Burnie, Frederick,Middletown, Charlotte Hall, Westminster, Sykesville,Union Bridge, Timonium, Upper Marlboro, andLandover in Maryland; Chantilly in Virginia; York inPennsylvania, Hartley in Delaware and New HavenConnecticut. Since 1997, the Club has set up an annu-al layout at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore andChildrens Hospital in Washington, DC. During thesummer of 2006, the Club operated for a second timein the year at Johns Hopkins and made this a perma-nent addition to our operations.
Since 2004, the Club has operated at the FrederickOktoberfest to support Community Living efforts toprovide support services to individuals with develop-mental disabilities. In October 2006, BAAFC set upour operating layout at the TCA Eastern Division York
Meet. This was a very special opportunity for theleast-known model railroad gauge to display its oper-ations at one of the largest attended TCA events. Forthe past three years, BAAFC has operated its layout atthe Washington Metro Rodeo Days Annual FamilyPicnic. Our relationship with Metro helped in arrang-ing the Conventions Wednesday Metro Shop Tour.
Since Christmas 2004, one of the BAAFC highesthonors has been participation in the Annual Festival ofTrains at the B&O Railroad Museum. This annualevent lasts from Thanksgiving through Christmas andNew Years and provides for several different modelrailroad clubs to set up an operating layout for a week-end or longer. The event is especially meaningfulbecause of where the layouts are located in the historicRoundhouse.
CONVENTION CARSThe Story Behind the Cars -
Railroad/Fruit Growers Express Reefer:Thanks to the Baltimore and Ohio Historical Society,
a photograph of a Fruit Growers Express (FGEX) Co.reefer unloading ice cream at the Camden Freight Yardat Baltimore, MD in the late 1940s was located andloaned to the BAAFC to use as a prototype for the2007 NASG reefer convention car.
The reefer convention car is based on a wooden sided,steel roof reefer with ice hatches, used in the 1940s byFGEX Co., Washington, DC. FGEX was organized in1920 as an independent private car line operatingcompany, spreading the burden of investment amongseveral major railroads. By the end of 1920, partici-pating railroads included the Southern; Atlantic CoastLine; Baltimore and Ohio; Pennsylvania; New York,New Haven and Hartford; Norfolk and Western; andChicago and Eastern Illinois.
The FGEX car is available in two numbers F.G.E.X.2007 and F.G.E.X. 1934 to recognize the year of theconvention and the first year that National Bohemianbeer was marketed after the repeal of Prohibition.
Maryland Midland Railway and the PS-2 CoveredHopper:Maryland Midland Railway (MMID) is a short line
railroad operating in central Maryland with its compa-ny headquarters located in Union Bridge, Maryland.The MMID motto is "We Mean Business."Incorporated in 1978, MMID started operations inMay, 1980 on 17 miles of track leased from the Stateof Maryland between Walkersville and Taneytown.On October 1, 1983, MMID purchased 37 miles oftrack from CSXT on the Westminster and Highfieldline. Between July 1987 and July 1988, 8 miles oftrack washed out by hurricanes Agnes and Eloise inthe early 1970s was restored and placed into service
8
N.A.S.G. 2007Get Your “S” To Charm City!
#
9
on the Westminster - Finksburg line on track leasedfrom the State of Maryland. In August 1988 5 milesof track was purchased from CSXT and placed intoservice on the Finksburg and Glyndon line. BetweenSeptember 1999 and December 2001, Lehigh PortlandCement Company, MMID’s largest customer, doubledtheir Union Bridge plant production. At the end ofApril, 2005, MMID owned 70 miles of track with 63miles in service. The company owned 10 large loco-motives - seven GP-38-3s and three GP-9s. The com-pany freight car fleet consisted of 424 cars that were
either owned or leased. Reported annual gross rev-enues totaled $8.1 million generated by nearly 16,000carloads of business. Tuesdays early bird tour includesthe MMID shops.
The car numbers chosen are actual cars operated bythe Maryland Midland Railway and photographed inthe Westminster, MD area by BAAFC member AndyAtwater. Permission to produce the MMID hopperswas granted by the Maryland Midland Railway.
REMINDER OF NON-LAYOUT TOURS:
RAIL TOURS:Maryland Midland Shops and Western MarylandHistorical Society at Union Bridge, MD: This is aday tour if your in on Tuesday. It’s limited to 30, buttheir may be a cancelation if it’s full. The shop tour isa first. In additon you visit the WM Historical Societywhere there are exhibits and an N scale layout.
Washington Metro Area Transit Shops: Visit theNew Carrollton Shops of this modern subway system.This is a Wednesday a.m. tour.
B&O Museum, Baltimore Trolley Museum andEllicott City Museum: This is an all-day Thursdaytour of three major rail museums in the Baltimorearea. The B&O Museum has tons of historic displays.The streetcar museum includes rides and displays. The
Ellicott City Railroad Museum includes a tour of thehistoric depot and a large HO layout.
Chesapeake & Allegheny Steam PreservationSociety: Friday a.m. tour of this live steam layout.These are 1/8th scale live steam operated in LeakinPark in Baltimore. There are 3 miles of track on 10acres.
NON-RAIL TOURS:Havre de Grace, Maryland: On Wednesday a.m. goto Havre de Grace for a walking tour of the historicseaport, have lunch at MacGregor’s and shop PrimeOutlet stores.
Sykesville Tour: On saturday tour historic Sykesville,Maryland, luncheon included.
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This low side gon kit is producedby Smoky Mountain ModelWorks, Inc., 35 Springwood Dr.,Asheville, NC 28805, 828-777-5619, [email protected],www.smokymounta inmodel-works.com. The MSRP for the kitis $60 w/T&C and $54 less T&C. Ibought my kit(s) from an S scaledealer, w/T&C, for $55 per kit.
As you can determine from thepictures, this kit makes up into adelightful, detail-emphatic model.SMMW has positioned their kit asan, “…entry-level craftsman kit.” Ibelieve I’d assess the degree of dif-ficulty a few notches aboveSMMW’s description.
Per SMMW’s research, the proto-type for the model was constructedexclusively for the Southern Ry.As witnessed in the photos, I mademine up for the ATSF. I used someMicroscale decals for the ATSFand the kit-supplied decals for thedetails. I figured, sometime alongthe way, the Santa Fe might possi-bly have “acquired” a few of thesecars as tag-alongs behind doodle-bugs. Purists, please forgive myblasphemy.
The main and under body urethanecastings are gorgeous with tons ofcast-in detail. A brass plate, whichis inserted between the main cast-ing and under body casting, pro-vides ample weight. The castingsrequired only minor flash “dress-ing” before I began construction.
The kit includes more than ampleflorist’s wire for the main air lineand .0125” PB wire for secondaryair lines, brake rods, and leverbrackets. A few sprues and ure-thane castings provide all theancillary parts. In some instances,SMMW has anticipated problemsby including duplicate parts. You
will have some unused parts leftover.
Per the instructions, I had toreduce the length and width of theunderbody in order for it to dropinto the main casting. For thelength, this is a bit tricky as thecross members and bolsters hangout over the casting’s edges. I useda twelve-inch aluminum sandingblock with 80 grit adhesive-backedpaper and was careful not to “getinto” the overhanging parts. Theends, where I used a low-speedrotary sander, were easier.
The body, as might be expected,has cast-on detail for an A and a Bend. As long as the builder exactlyfollows the instructions (Fig.2) forlining up the brake reservoir outersupport with the cast-on, rivetedbrace on the body, the ends willagree with the brake arrangement.
Per the instructions, the brakelevers require six clevises. Theseare simulated by altering some HOturnbuckles. But, try as I could, Ionly located five, not six. Later,when I attached the brake chain, Ifinally noticed in Fig.13 that thesixth clevis is attached to the endof the brake rod coming from thebrake cylinder.
As part of the brake assembly,three lever brackets have to behand-formed. While not in theinstructions, two are 22 inches-long while the third is 18 inches-long. With the exact measure-ments, these are easily and precise-ly bent over some basswood stripstock.
For the brake platform, I reversedthe order of assembly. First, you’llfind that the brake platform doesnot sit flush with the car’s end. Ilightly sanded the inner rear edge
for a flush fit. I CA’d the platformto the end piece and only then didI fabricate the platform’s bracesfrom the .010” x .045” styrenestrip that is included. The bracesare trimmed, once in-place, to fit.They should, prior to beinginstalled and CA’d, be cut to 3/8”.
The instructions call for a #77 bitfor the two holes that must bedrilled for the brake shaft. I foundan #80 was a better fit and mini-mized any slop when I trued-up theshaft to perpendicular prior to glu-ing. I used the same bit for theretainer valve line. Truing the shaftto perpendicular is easier than itfirst appears.
With the platform and braces in-place, and with a shaft hole drilledin the platform, insert the 1.5” PBwire through the hole, and placethe car on, for example, a vinylflooring tile. Then, square up thecar with two 90-degree squaresalong each of the long sides. WhileI used steel machinist’s squares, Iwould imagine two pieces of trulysquare wood might suffice. Oncethe car was at 90-degrees with theflooring tile, I used a tiny machin-ist’s square to move the shaft intoperpendicular. As you can rotatethe flooring tile on your work sur-face, a visual approximation wouldprobably be just as good. Once theshaft is square, apply some CA tothe point where the shaft intersectsthe platform. If you are truly per-pendicular, the upper brace willline up perfectly on the end lip.
Once I had the shaft perpendicularin both directions and CA’d in-place, I began to install the loweryoke. Though all else appeared tobe installed as-designed, if theyoke were CA’d to the car end, itwould lie short of supporting thebrake shaft. I fabricated a .04”spacer from some scrap styrene,CA’d that to the rear of the yoke,and then CA’d that assembly to thecar end. This resolved the spacing,and the shaft was seated correctlyin the yoke. I cannot account forthe difference.
A Review:
SMOKY MOUNTAIN MODEL WORKSSOUTHERN RY 11-RIB LOW-SIDE GONDOLA
By Gerry Evans
11
Care and handling of the suppliedALPS decals is covered in greatdetail. I eliminated much of thedamage potential by using amethod I use with home-growncolor laser decals. I sprayed thewhole decal sheet with someKrylon clear gloss spray before Ibegan cutting and applying. Oncedown and dried, I allowed Solvasetto “work” on the decals by pokinga few holes into neutral, non-inkportions of the film. SMMW hasincluded more decals than neededso you can afford to make a fewmistakes.
The instructions outline the basic tools andmaterials needed to assemble this kit. Inaddition to SMMW’s instructions, I foundone additional tool totally invaluable. Thisis the sprue cutter offered by both PBLhttp://www.p-b-l.com/PBL2002/main-ns.html in two versions and by Micro-Markhttp://www.micromark.com/. Though thetools come with a warning to use them onlyfor sprue-cutting, trimming the urethaneparts, styrene strip, and PB wire for the lowside gon was made so much easier with thistool. They are so precise.
Shown are photos of the Low-Side Gondola by SmokyMountain Model Works resin kit as built by GerryEvans. He chose the Santa Fe paint scheme.
Photos by Gerry Evans
12
OPTIONAL WYE TRACK
TRACK PLANNING PART IVBy Jeff Madden
An S Plan from an HO OriginalS scale plan (not to scale)Size 20’6” wide by 14’ high
(yard is an additional length)COAL
INTERCHANGE TRACK WITH PRR MAIN
ENGINEHOUSE
TEAM TRACK
LUMBER
FEED
FACTORY
COAL MINE
SAWMILL
FEED MILL ANDCOAL DEALER
OIL
FARM
CREAMERY
DONOHOE
NEW ALEXANDRIA
CRABTREE
13
TRACK PLANNING PART IV
Layout plans for S can easily beadapted from other scale layouts.At the left is one adapted from myown HO layout, the second one Istarted as a teenager. It was sup-posed to be a PennsylvaniaRailroad branchline from an inter-change at Donohoe, PA with theMiddle Division PRR to NewAlexandria, PA.
I enlarged the plan from the origi-nal HO size of about 12’ x 9’ withsome slight redesigns to accomo-date 40” radius S curves. It is abasic around-the-wall layout witha turnback peninsula. A lift-outbridge or duckunder is used tocomplete a continuous run loop.An optional wye track would makea more complicated lift bridge orliftout. If you use steam engines,the wye would be mandatoryunless a turntable was stuck insomewhere at the end of the yardtail. If you use diesels only then noturning wye or turntable would benecessary.
The layout trackage is all leveluntil the branchline starts to climbat the curve just past Crabtree towhere the line crosses over itself toreach New Alexandria. It is a typ-ical branchline scenario for west-ern Pennsylvania. Prototype fea-tures of the real branch are notincluded because as a 14-year-old Iwasn’t able to actually visit thebranch, but the scenario is typical
Appalachian.
Donohoe would be the interchangewith the PRR mainline. Somemore staging tracks could beincluded if you were able to ducksome tracks into an adjacent room.Here would be a small enginefaciltiy, a wye (optional) and somesmall town industries - maybe afoundry, feed mill, lumber yard,bulk oil tanks and a team track.
Halfway up the branch is the ruraltown of Crabtree with a sawmillbeing the chief industry. Feed, coaland oil again show up as smalltown basics. There is also a smallrural creamery to potentially feedmilk products to Johnstown orPittsburgh.
Next is the steep 3 or 4% grade upto the coal mine at NewAlexandria. Where the track cross-es over itself elevation would haveto be about 4-5”. At NewAlexandria I would have the minetrackage level at about 6”.
You could adapt this plan to any Strack - code 100, 125, 148 or ?? Ifspace was at a premium you mightdrop your minimum radius downto say 27”.
Regardless, this layout wouldmake a compact and simple Shome layout that would includelots of operation, the option forcontinuous running and sceneryvariety. For scenic interest you
have 4 bridges, streams, moun-tains, a tunnel, two small towns, amine and a farm.
I would envision using SHS trackwith branchline PRR diesels andtransition era rolling stock. Mostlikely diesels would be SW9s,GP9s, SW1s, RS3s - all are avail-able in S in plastic RTR. SmallPRR branchline steam would bemore problematic. You could usePutt moguls, BTS locos or SHS 2-8-0s and just use modelers licensethat the line is a spinoff of thePRR. Smaller brass standard gaugesteam that has been around includethe Omnicon 2-8-0 and 0-8-0. TheReading Camelback 2-8-0 wouldbe a good fit too for a freelance orReading branch.
Of course, you can just change thetown names and freelance whatev-er you like.
Maybe you had an HO layoutyourself you could adapt? Maybeyou can adapt an HO or N planfrom magazine plans? This is howI would adapt a layout I actuallybuilt in HO if the space fit.
Upcoming I want to tackle con-verting some O scale plans to S. - Jeff
14
Over the next several issues of theDispatch, I thought I wouldattempt to summarize the historyof the American Flyer cars thathave been produced as exclusivereleases for NASG over the years.
The first AF car was released in1981, although the background onthis car is slightly different fromall subsequent NASG cars. In1981, the NASG convention washosted by the Syracuse club, theCNYSGA. That year, CNYSGAcontracted with Lionel to producefor them a unique AF car decorat-ed for the 1981 convention. Thiscar was orange with black andwhite print and decoration. On theleft side of the opening boxcardoor, it was lettered 21stNational Convention Syracuse,NY, July, 1981
N A S G 0 7 0 0: The car num-ber was 0700 - I am not sure if thatnumber had any significance, orwhy it was chosen. On the rightside of the door, the black-and-white NASG “Unified” logo wasfeatured. Unfortunately for CNYS-GA, Lionel required them to pur-chase a minimum run of 2000 ofthese cars! Since re-introduction ofthe American Flyer line had justtaken place in 1979, I suppose arun of 2000 did not seem all thatformidable at the time. But in real-ity, the club was left with manyunsold cars! Note that CNYSGAsponsored, ordered, and sold thesecar, not the NASG.
So, what to do with all the leftovercars ????? At the time, the lateWalt Danylak was one of theCNYSGA leaders, and Walt oper-ated his own part-time S-scale
business, G&W Models. UnderWalt’s leadership, several hundred0700 cars were stripped, repainted,and sold. The list of repaints, asonce cited by Walt, included: - D&H “I Love NY” boxcar - AC Gilbert Birthday/Anniversaryboxcar- Model Railroader Magazine 50th- Anniversary boxcar- RR Model Craftsman Magazine -50th Anniversary boxcar- Conrail boxcar- TTCS/NYC Pacemaker boxcar- AF MofWay Tool Car- NASG Buffalo Convention car- NASG Woburn Convention car
Walt recalled that each car wasproduced in a quantity of 100 orless, with some being considerablyless. In addition, the CuyahogaValley S-Gaugers purchased sever-al cases of the 0700 car, and redec-orated them as a “Burning River”boxcar (commemorating the factthat the Cuyahoga River onceactually caught fire!).
Where are all these cars today?The original 0700 cars still turn upon occasion, including EBAY.From my experience, I would saythey usually bring about $100each. They came in the early whiteAF clear-front box, with red andblue printing. Of the repaints men-tioned by Walt, I think the D&H “ILove NY” boxcar is the most com-mon. In red, white, and blue, it wasprobably a very good seller, and Iwould suspect CNYSGA mademore of this car than any of theothers.
I have not seen an AC Gilbertrepaint for sale in many years, butthe last I knew, they were bringing
$150 +. This was a white car, dec-orated on one side to commemo-rate the 100th anniversary ACGilbert’s birthday (1884), and onthe other side to commemorate theAC Gilbert Company’s 75thanniversary (1909). It is a veryattractive and desirable repaint.The AFMW/1989 Tool car isunique. Gray with black print, foursquare four-pane windows werecarefully cut into the sides of theboxcar (two on each side) before itwas painted and decorated.
The important thing to rememberabout all of these cars is that theywere repaints…….they are notoriginal AF production cars fromLionel; only the 0700 car fits thatbill ! That is why you will not findthese repainted cars listed in themass-market AF Price Guides.
Post-1981No AF cars were produced forNASG or any convention-spon-soring club after 1981, until 1988.At that time, NASG itself beganthe run of exclusive NASG-AFCommemorative cars availableonly to members, which continuesto this day
1988 & BeyondIn 1988, the national conventionwas hosted by the Central NJ club,and was held in New Brunswick,NJ. That year, under DonThompson’s leadership, Lionelwas approached about producingan American Flyer car exclusivelyfor the NASG, and to be sold onlyto NASG members as a conven-tion car. Lionel agreed, a contractwas signed, and the NASG AFCommemorative Car Projectbegan. The 1988 car was a JerseyCentral Lines insulated boxcar (aboxcar shell with opening reeferdoors), numbered 48470. The carsides are painted orange, and roofand ends are tuscan. Lettering anddecoration on the car is black, red,and white.
Only 504 cars were produced, andthey sold for $29.95 each (post-paid), to NASG members. The
THE NASG AMERICAN FLYER CAR
PROJECTBy Doug Peck
15
1988 car is not often seen for saleon the secondary market. (As anaside, the host club also producedthe same car design that year as aplug-door reefer by AmericanModels, in two numbers.)
As noted, Don Thompson spear-headed the project that year. Herecruited me to receive orders andkeep data. Upon production, thecars were delivered to TomHawley in Michigan, and Tom andsome recruits took charge of ship-ping them all out, with shippinginformation provided to him.
As I recall, the car sold out veryquicklly - a factor which probably
contributed to the decision toincrease production when the 1989car was planned.
In 1989, Don twisted my arm andconvinced me to take over the AFCar Project for NASG. Agreeing todo so, I formed a small committeeof volunteers - NASG membersinterested in the AF project; and asI recall there were about 6 of us.After entertaining some sugges-tions, we settled on a tank car for1989. Specifically, we chose a col-orful MKT “Edible Oil” chemicalplatform tank car, green with yel-low and white print. The car num-ber chosen was 120089, basedupon a prototype car number and
the year 1989, as I recall. We con-tracted with Lionel to produce 660cars for us, and they sold for$29.50 each, postpaid. The carsold out prior to delivery, and noextras were available thereafter.
The “Katy” tank car is also a ratherelusive NASG car, rarely seen onthe secondary market. When Ihave seen it sold, it usually brings$150-$200, MIB.
Next time, we’ll take a look atthe first few cars produced in the‘90s for NASG members.
See color photos on page 16 andthe cover...
P O R T L I N E S H O B B I E S
6 S t o r e y b r o o k e D r i v e N e w b u r y p o r t , M A 0 1 9 5 0 ( 9 7 8 ) - 4 6 5 - 8 7 9 8
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VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMEX, & PAYPAL ACCEPTED.
Specialists in S-Gauge Railroading AMERICAN FLYER PARTS SERVICE
ON-LINE CATALOG, OR 6.00 BY MAIL.
What’s New at Port Lines ? (a) Don’s Generic Gas Station (PCM); $75 (b) Copper’s Donuts (PCM); $75 (c ) Coach seats; Pkg of 36/ $12; or 100/$30 (d) Spreading Tool; $12.00 (e) ELO Decal (& Paint) Remover; $9.95 (f) NEW! AF Reproduction Paints; several new
colors available. (g) Doug’s Diner (PCM); $70 (h) Smoke-in-tender can motor conversions ! (i) PRR Mikado, TMCC-equipped, in stock.
a b c d
e
f g
h
i
16
17
S-PIKES
S scale is alive and well asseen in the following modelphotos from the S ScaleModel Railway SocietyGallery (www.s-scale.org.uk/gallery). Thetop two photos are vintageUK steam locomotives bythe late Norman Pattendenwho died in 2006. Normanwas a career “real” rail-roader in Britain who oftenwas responsible for theRoyal Train. Top is anLSWR Adams 415 Class 4-4-2T built in 1885. The mid-dle 2-2-2T Furness RailwayB3 Class was built in 1866and was his last model. Themodel was painted byTrevor Nunn after Norman’sdeath.
The bottom photo is ascene on John coulter’sCambrian Ry. Llanfair mod-ule. Loco 2-4-0T was rebuiltin 1907. The town ofLlanfair is a small outpostin Wales.
Top photo Trevor NunnMiddle photo by MauriceHopperBottom photo by JohnPrior
20
19
The photos at the left are variousscenes of displays by the S ScaleModel Railway Society. The topphoto on page 18 is a typical ruralpassenger station stop in England.The scene is on the RudgeleyJunction modular layout that is along and narrow oval with donuthole. Yards and terminal are onone side with rural farm scenery onthe other. I think much of themodeling here regards the Londonand North Western Railway. Thelayout was owned by the late StanGarlick.
The middle scene opposite is of asociety rolling stock display from
1956 in London. The bottomphoto opposite is a scene on a newmodular layout depicting railwaysin Ireland. The UK names theremodular layout and generally fol-low a prototypical theme. This oneis entitled Kilbrandon and is builtby Paul Green. It is S scale but thegauge is actually 5’3”. The bridgeis one over the curran River Theloco is a GSR class J15.
Above are two samples of ovalmodular layouts ala the UK folks.The top one has the title of Thame-Bledlow, the bottom one is theKilbrandon Irish one. I wouldequate much of the UK modeling
shown here as with our Sn3 mod-eling in this country. The top planwas drawn by Leslie Bevis-Smith.The Kilbrandon one by Andy May.
Thanks to Maurice Hopper, JohnPrior and Andy May for this infor-mation.
Photo creditsOpp. top - Leslie Bevis-SmithOpp. center - SSMRS archivesOpp. bottom - John Prior
The Spring S Spree, this year host-ed by the Central Ohio S Gaugers,was different in many respectsthan past S Sprees. The COSG forthe first time were forced to movetheir venue from the Holiday Innon the east side of Columbus,Ohio, to the east side and theMakoy Center in Hilliard.
This was a separate facility thathad plenty of of space for bothdealers and layouts. In fact, therewere 9 layouts in a single displayroom. Doug Miller of Vestal, NY,brought a double track 14’ x 30’scale layout used by the SouthernTier club. Loop radii are 72 and 75inches with an inner narrow gaugeloop having 66 inch radius. Ienjoyed the 12-car B&O passengertrain pulled by two AM E8s. Onthe opposite size spectrum wasStumpy Stone’s foam portable 3-1/2’ x 6’ layout. It featured a singleloop of S Helper track and manyhome-cast resin structures.
The other layouts representedwere the NASG modules, theMiami Valley S Gaugers’ hi-raillayout, the COSG two-level lay-out, the Cuyahoga Valley AF lay-out, the L-shaped scale modulesof the NOSS group, Bob
Pardington’s (SEMSG) 4’ x 16’hi-rail, and the Baltimore club’s16’ x 22’ setup. I think that totalsnine.
Attending dealers includedAmerican Models, Barry pazan(trucks), Tomalco, River Raisin,SouthWind, John Heck, TomHawley, Fred’s Train Parts,YardMaster Models and manymore. What’s more, is what I con-sider an innovation for S swapmeets, and that is the use of “GhostDealers”. The COSG followedthrough with contacting non-attending manufacturers to senditems for display and actual sale tobe monitored by club volunteers. Itworked. Several did UPS productto the COSG for the Spree. Eachghost manufacturer had a tablespace alloted depending on whatthey sent and sales were conductedby COSG members. Unsold prod-uct and $$ were then returned tothe vendors after the Spree. TheGhost Dealers present wereMountaineer, Kadee, TurnerModels, Evan’s Design andRailMaster. Each had literature
handouts as well. Championed byJohn Gafney this innovative ideagot some product out there in frontof the buyers that normally would-n’t appear at the event.
Some 300 folks attended the Spreethat included swap time on Fridayand Saturday, clinics, layout dis-plays, layout tours and theSaturday banquet. The self-guidedlayout tour on Saturday included amixed scale club, an O scale club,a hi-rail S layout and an O scalehome layout. The latter two con-veniently right next door to eachother. Yup, as we exited RobBerridge’s S layout we weredirected next door to see some bigO scale power circling the base-ment.
The Saturday banquet featured abig-screen TV with Ohio Stateplaying basketball in the NCAAtournament. Sound was turned offso it wasn’t a problem. Most of usenjoyed it. According to AlanEvans attendence at the Spree was300 or so.
SPRING S SPREE2007 REPORT
By Jeff Madden
At the right is a scene on thehost COSG layout featuring vari-ous Timken Roller Bearing cars,two of which are Spree cars - thetank car and the hopper. Beloware three happy Miami Valley SGauers. From left to right areLarry Beam, Mike Masarik andRichard Hagler.
Photos by Jeff Madden
20
21
Spree Scenes: Top photos -Stumpy Stone with his 3-1/2’ x 6’layout. Middle is Alan Evans withthe NASG layout - note the sign“hands-on”. Bottom left is a tunnelcorner on the Miami Valley SGaugers’ hi-rail layout. Bottomright is Doug Miller of the SouthernTier S Gaugers with a scale modu-lar layout.
22
S TRACKSBy Sam Powell
\
From Gaylord Gill, SMSG....
Sam, I enjoyed your S Tracks article in theDecember 2006 Dispatch. I have a coupleof comments regarding curves. A sceniccurve (I liked your distinction betweenessential and scenic curves) can often bepushed well beyond the 50" radius youmention. Let's say that you're looking tointroduce a slight bend along a staightstretch of track (a golfer would call it adogleg). For illustration purposes, let'spick an angle of 20 degrees (that is, thestraight track will be deflected 20 degreesto the right or left to establish a new lineof straight track). Creating your bendwith a 48" radius curve would require anarc length of less than 17"in the middle ofyour two straight runs (measured betweenthe two tangent points). In the attachedsketch, a is the desired angle of deflectionbetween the two straight sections of track.The variable r is the desired radius of thecurve that will join the two straight sec-tions. The points t1 and t2 represent thepoints of tangency between the straightand curved sections. However, broaden-ing the curve to a 72" radius extends thelength of the arc only about 8" more (justover 25" total), and pushing to a 96"radius extends the length of the arc to lessthan 34"total. In fact, for a given angle ofdeflection, there's a consistent relation-ship between the radius and the length ofthe arc between tangent points: doublethe radius and you double the arc length;cut the radius by half and you cut the arclength by half. So there really isn't muchsacrifice in linear distance as long asyou're dealing with scenic curves of mod-est deflection. If you care about the mathpart, the key is that the angle at the centerof the circle, formed by the two radii inthe sketch, will always be the same as theangle of deflection a. Next, note that thearc between the tangent points t1 and t2 issimply a part of the total circumference ofthe circle formed by radius r. So, we justneed to calculate the circumference usingthe formula C = 2 x r x pi (where pi hasthe value 3.14). Then calculate the arclength by taking the angle a divided by360 (the number of degrees in a circle),and then multiplying the result times cir-cumference C. You mention that a 48"curve is "still a very tight curve on theprototype". When I was designing my
Grand Valley Northeastern, I had anopportunity to insert a scenic curve in themiddle of a long straight stretch. Justbecause I had the space, I pushed theradius of this curve to a full 13 feet (156inches). Then, some time later, I cameacross an article in a magazine that iden-tified some prototype standards forcurves. After converting my dimensionsto prototype, I learned that even my won-derfully broad curve would have beenconsidered a "restricted speed" section oftrack! I have spent quite a bit of timeworking out the math of curves andgrades, and I have developed some layoutplanning tools in Microsoft Excel. If youwould be interested in hearing moreabout these, let me know. Gaylord Gill
Hi Gaylord, It was great to hear from you,
and great to hear you have a layout either
going, under construction, or all planned
out. Please excuse my being out of touch
there. I am sure others are more in touch
with what you are doing. I am always
amazed at the level of genius that emerges
when one digs into other's hobby involve-
ment out there. Are you a mathematician
by trade or by hobby? You make an excel-
lent point that I did not actually state, and
that is that it is fun to stretch out those
scenic curves as much as possible and still
have them look like curves. There is one
school of thought that there should be no
truly straight track on the layout. The
same thinking suggests that the edge of
the layout should be slightly curved wher-
ever possible as well.
I think there are two extremes on a track
planning personality spectrum. At one
end is the guy who enjoys plotting every
detail on the paper before construction,
and on the other end is the guy who just
builds a bench work structure, and pushes
track around on it until he likes the looks
of it. There is probably a Meyers Briggs
Personality profile for each of these
extremes. Each tends to think his way is
clearly superior when in fact, neither per-
son is better than the other. They just are
the way they are. Both extremes howev-
er, can get hung up and run into problems.
The guy at the "push track around on a
bare bench" end of the spectrum is going
to end up with a curve too tight some-
where, or not be able to fit his design into
his space at all,. And the guy who plans
everything may never get his plan into the
real world. The thing that is important is
to have fun, and not get sucked into the
extreme of our personality type. If Mr
Planner truly loves to plan, then there is
nothing wrong with spending his entire
life planning. But he may be missing out
on some real fun that is unaware of.
Striving for some balance towards the
other end of the spectrum is the thing that
carries us along to the best advantage.
For this reason, I am going to suggest that
your math is probably a great tool that
everyone should look at, especially the
guys who just want to push track around
on a bare board. The match involved
might help him avoid some serious miss
step down the road. The guy who is
already of a mind set to plan, and plan and
plan, might find this tool speeded up his
planning, and thus get his track down and
working a little faster.
My real world experience is that things
never look quite the same on a table top as
you think they are going to look from
studying your track plan. So if when you
get to the point of putting the track plan
down on the craft paper on your bench
work as I described in a recent column,
‘don’t hesitate pushing it around until you
like the way it looks. The area that was to
be a coal mine on my Penn Creek Valley
plan became a river front coal transfer
barge on the layout. Plans are great, but
don’t get to hung up on them.
Gaylord, thanks for writing. Do send
some examples of your math along, and
we will see if we can put together a com-
pendium of useful layout planning tools.
And send along a photo of the layout, or
maybe a short article about your layout
and a plan of it. Do you have any photos
yet?
Take Care, Sam Powell
Please address any questions or comments
to Sam [email protected]
The Bristol S Gaugers (BSG) club
brought their layout to the recent
Greenberg Train Show in their
area, and the HUB Train Show s spon-
sored by the Northeastern Region,
NMRA. New member Bill Tarbox held
the March meeting of the club at his
home, and members attending operated
the host’s layout and enjoyed the collec-
tion of RR memorabilia. Al Coughlin
hosted the April meeting of the club and
members attending got to see recent addi-
tions to the host layout. Frank Emiro was
scheduled to host the club meeting in May
at the Sandown Train Depot. .The club is
actively planning for the 2008 NASG
Convention and a site has been booked
with recent considerations made on the
convention car. All tours are planned and
costs for attendees will be determined
when contracts are signed with the bus
companies. The club members are look-
ing forward to the annual BBQ to be held
at the home of Ed and Bobbi Stead in
June. Tom Robichaud is President; Helen
Lenart, V.P.; Chet Brown, Treasurer; and
Dick Connors, Secretary of the club.
Ken Garber edited the most recent
issue of the Quarterly, the newsletter
for S Canada, that includes a description
and photos of the CNR type H-6-d ten
wheeler (4-6-0) as built by Simon Parent.
S Canada members set up modules at the
Toronto Christmas Train Show as held at
the International Centre that included a 4
ft. long “train table” display that can
rotate short trains at each end, and send
them back in the direction that they came
from. Use of this display made it possible
to operate three trains at the same time at
the show. The Club set up a display at
the Copetown Train Show, as sponsored
by the Canadian Assoc. of Railway
Modelers (CARM) held on Feb. 25, at the
Copetown Community Centre,
Copetown, ON.
The Connecticut S Gaugers (CSG)
met at the home of John Garren, in
Bethel, CT. for their April meeting.
Those attending enjoyed John’s S layout
and operation of various trains that John
has. Mark Anderson hosted the club
members for a meeting in May, in
Woodbury, CT. Mark took club members
Bob Ritchie and Pieter Roos on a walking
tour of the old Shebaug RR right of way,
which includes a tunnel about 150 ft.
long. The Shebaug RR was a branch line
of the New Haven RR until abandoned in
1948. The club is considering a visit to
the Poughkeepsie-Highland RR bridge, to
be part of their meeting in June at the
home of member Stan Stockrocki. The
bridge has been out of use since a fire
caused damages to it some years ago, but
is now the subject of restoration under the
work of a preservation group. Club mem-
ber Al Marotta is trying to coordinate a
visit to the bridge by the club members
attending the meeting at Stan’s house in
June. The May meeting of the club was
held at the home of Mark Anderson in
Woodbury, CT.
The Pioneer Valley S Gaugers
(PVSG) met at the home of Jim
Richardson in late April for their monthly
meeting. Bob Gravel hosted the March
meeting of the club on Thursday evening
March 22. Bob has constructed an S
model of a “Galloping Goose.” Bob’s
layout operates using a DCC system, and
nine club members attended the meeting
Steve Allen hosted the club members on
May 24, for their monthly meeting. The
PVSG is planning a meeting with mem-
bers and guests in June, at the Steaming
Tender Restaurant in the Palmer, MA. his-
torical railroad station. A similar meeting
last year had a good turnout and the mem-
bers and friends enjoyed the event. This
years event is scheduled for June 10, and
it will be a social event with wives and
significant others invited. Club member
Dave Sullivan brought new product data
on Tonkin truck replicas, and AF trains.
The Western N.Y. S scale Association
( WNYSSA) held their March meet-
ing at the home of Paul Wachowicz, in
Tonawanda, N.Y. Ten members attended
including the host. The club set up their
modules at the TTOS Show, held on Jan.
27/28, at Leonard Post, Cheektowaga,
N.Y. Four new members were signed up
including: Karol Kaminski, Scott
Nowicki, Tom Koziol,and Jim Thomas.
The club held a meeting on Jan. 25, at
Danny’s South Restaurant, Orchard Park,
N.Y. The meeting is on the same day as
the WNYRHS Train Show at the
Agricenter, Hamburg, N.Y. Club mem-
bers attended the show and the meeting
for lunch on the same day. Gregg
Mummert and Bud Rindfleisch coordinat-
ed the meeting at the restaurant. The club
decided not to set up a layout at the Train
Show to be held at the Central Terminal,
in September. The club decided to dis-
play at another show at the Agri center.
The club has set up and operated a layout
jointly with the RASG club at a train
show sponsored by the GSME on April
15, at Batavia Downs, Batavia, N.Y. The
WNYSSA brought corner modules and
some straights, and RASG brought
straights and their two foot bridge mod-
ule. The April meeting of the club was
cancelled due to a death in the family of
Harry Morath. Harry agreed to host the
next meeting of the club in May. The
meeting was hosted by Harry on May 20,
in Lancaster, N.Y. Gregg Mummert coor-
dinates the club activities and ably edits
the club newsletter.
The Rochester Area S Gaugers Club
(RASG) has a web site managed by
member Bill Johnson, and it is used to
display photos of recent events that the
club has planned and attended. The club
recently set up a layout at the GSMA
Train Show, held on April 15 at Batavia
Downs. The club brought their two foot
bridge modules, and several straight mod-
ules, which were used in conjunction with
the corner modules and others brought by
the WNYSSA. The overall layout was 11
ft. x 33 ft. The two clubs work together
to present our favorite scale trains to area
residents.
The Waybill is the official newsletter
publication of the South Jersey S
Gaugers (SJSG) and the club meets on a
regular basis on the first Friday of the
month, at the Stratford, N.J. Senior
Center. A recent issue of the newsletter
edited by Mike McConnell includes an
article describing …” It’s back to the old
grind” meaning after the Echelon Mall
displays and shows, the members can
now enjoy clinics, weekend fan trips, and
evenings of Play Trains. The Play Trains
23
“Where We Make Tasty Sandwiches Of Your Club News”
THE CLUB SANDWICHBy Dave Pool
24
events are meets at a members home to
operate a layout or visit to a model RR
event or place, without any club business
meeting taking place. Mike explains that
the past year had been heavily devoted to
organizing Mall attendance and opera-
tions for visitors at the Mall, while now
members time can be used to have clinics
on modeling, photography, tree building,
detailing, review of new S products, etc.
Club president Hank Worrell gave a
description on the origins of S scale, at a
recent meeting of the club. John Aaron is
writing a feature article on the SJSG Mall
adventure. Greg Berndtson gave a clinic
at a recent meeting on making decals on
white and colored stock. The club is plan-
ning to set up and operate their layout at
the Tuckahoe Train Show, on July 28, in
Tuckahoe, N.J. Member Tom McDowell
coordinated the club set up and operations
at the Vineland Veterans Hospital on May
12. A recent issue of the Waybill included
an article by member John Bigley on
streamlined passenger trains, both diesel
and steam powered, and one on operating
short model trains on a layout by John
Aaron to make the operations more realis-
tic. John explains how branch and small
railroads often use short trains which
appear more realistic than a long one with
the locomotive chasing the end of the
train on a home layout.
The Neshaminy Valley AF Club
(NVAFC) recently held their 203rd
meeting at Phil’s Tavern, in Ambler, PA.
The shuffleboard bowling game is gone,
but there was good food and drink for
those attending. The club displayed their
layout at no less than three events recent-
ly, including the Southhampton Free
Masons, a big train show at member Paul
Fenn’s door factory, and oe of the month-
ly New Hope, PA. train shows. The lay-
out worked well except for a few minor
problems, which club members are
addressing. There is a need for miniature
people and a passenger car for the
Guilford station accessory, scenery items
for two layout corners that ae bare, and
some flashing highway flashers to
replacethose which were installed on the
layout and were the property of a mem-
ber, and were removed. The club has
been invited to bring, set up, and operate
their layout at a train show in
Gilbertsville, PA. next September. The
club met at the home of Mike and Kathy
Hudek, in Monroeville, N.J. on May 11.
The host has recently moved and is now
located in south Jersey. Mike Ramsey
coordinates the club activities, and ably
writes the club newsletter.
The Call Board is the unofficial news
letter of the Potomac Valley S
Gaugers (PVSG) and the club members
met at the home of Richard and Nancy
Lind on May 19, in Frederick, MD. The
club members are planning to set up their
operating layout at the forthcoming
NASG convention to be held in
Baltimore, MD. in July. Richard Lind
ably edits the club newsletter which fea-
tures news and articles of interest to the
club members.
The Pittsburgh S Gaugers (PSG) held
a Coffee and Trains get together at
Kings Restaurant, in Harmerville, PA. on
May 29. These meetings are well attend-
ed and are separate from the regular meet-
ings of the club, held in members homes.
Club member Vince Polis hosted the club
for their meeting in May. Vince has a hi-
rail layout with most of the track down,
and much of the electrical wiring done.
Jonathon Knox coordinates the club activ-
ities and distributes the club newsletter
via e-mail.
The Susquehanna S-Gaugers (SSG)
met at the home of Earl and Gail
Wagner, in Danville, PA. on May 6.
Eighteen members attended the meeting.
Earl has enlargesd his L-shaped layout by
about ten feet, and is in the process of
adding scenery and buildings including a
circus tent and rides. On the new addition
there are two mountains and a track con-
figuration that climbs each elevation, with
a bridge in between. Three guests attend-
ed the meeting including Rudy Teane,
Dave Maurer, and Robert Bomboy who
came from Danville and explained about
his work with a local elementary age
group at a local church to build and main-
tain an O-gauge layout on the church
property. Member Dave VanGilder
brought and described a RR crossing gate
and flasher as made by Z-Stuff for Trains.
The gates and flasher were on a display
board and automatically operated when a
train passed by. Tom Vaughn described
an operating session that is planned for
the club meeting at his home in the Fall.
The session would use the host’s layout
and DCC controlled trains. Jim Ingram
used his camcorder to record each mem-
ber in attendance describing their inter-
ests, and introducing themselves. The
operating crossing gates were also record-
ed. Dave VanGilder records the club
meeting minutes. Jim Ingram is consid-
ered the founding “father” to the club.
The Baltimore Area AF Club
(BAAFC) is sponsoring the 2007
NASG convention to be held in
Baltimore,MD. on July 10-14,2007.
Dave Blum and Monte Heppe lead the
convention committee. They presented a
report on the status of the convention
plans at the April club meeting. The
meeting was held in the Dover Harbor
Pullman RR car located on a CSX siding
in Annapolis, MD. Twenty two members
attended. The privately owned car is the
property of the National Railway
Historical Society Washington, DC
Chapter. During the meeting the presi-
dent of the chapter made a presentation on
the history of the car, the configuration of
the car, and how the chapter uses the car.
The car was built by the Pullman
Company in 1923 and was operate by
several railroads during its active use.
The car was purchased by the Washington
DC Chapter in 1979 and has been refur-
bished for operation on the current stan-
dards of the railroads. The car contains an
open lounge seating 22 persons, a com-
pact kitchen, and six double bedrooms.
The BAAFC operated their layout at the
Spring S Spree, in Columbus, OH. on
March 30/31, and the Great Scale & All
American Hi-rail Train Show on April
14/15. The club also operated their layout
at the WMATA Rail Rodeo on May 5.
This event is for the employees of the
Railroad and various events are held for
the employees. On May 12, the club set
up and operated their layout at the Union
Bridge Depot Days. The May meeting
was held at the home of Howard Garrett
in Marriottsville, MD., and Jim
McMorrow was scheduled to host the
June meeting.
The Chicago Flyer is the official
newsletter of the Chicagoland Assoc.
of S Gaugers,Inc. (CASG) that meet on
Friday evenings at the St. Paul Lutheran
School, Melrose Park, IL. on a monthly
basis. The club lost a member on
February 23, when Bernie VonKoller
passed away. The club members
expressed their sincere condolences to
Bernie’s family. He was active in the
25
CASG as well as the DuPage Division of
the NMRA. Each year he was one of the
ticket takers at the All American RR
Show at Lyons Township High School.
Bob Brown was elected for another three
year term as trustee of the club. Joel
Webber has agreed to serve as chairman
of the new Membership Committee,
which will be responsible for greeting
new members at meetings, and helping at
the various shows in which the club par-
ticipates.
CASG member Joe Craig is compiling
results of the members survey to help the
club leadership plan and organize activi-
ties. The surveys were still being accept-
ed in April. The club is thinking about
their Summer family outing to be held
most probably in August. Phil Kosin, the
unofficial social chairman of the club, has
searched out possible locations for the
outing, and the Hesston Steam Museum in
LaPorte County, IN. is the likely place for
the club Summer family outing. The
museum has a collection of steam trains
in two and three foot gauge and 15-inch
gauge from the estate of printing mogul
Elliot Donnelly in Lake Forest as well as
a large shay-type steam loco back in oper-
ation for visitors to enjoy. The CASG
spring layout open house was held at the
home of member Bob Brandt, in
Northbrook, IL. Bob’s fully sceniced lay-
outs were operational and include over
1000 ft. of track. Trains operated include
those from AF, Flyonel, American
Models, and Showcase Line. A unique
feature of the largest layout is a section
that mimics the mountain scene from
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, com-
plete with space ship and aliens. More
than 40 members and friends enjoyed the
layouts and a time of fellowship. The
June meeting of the club is scheduled to
feature a clinic on use of Lionel’s TMCC
(remote wireless operating system) as
presented by member Ed Goldin. At a
meeting later in the year, the club plans to
have a clinic on DCC, so that it can be
better understood and compared to the
TMCC. Will Holt is President of the
CASG, Joel Lebovitz, V.P.; Joe Taylor,
Secretary; Bruce Lorence, treasurer; Joe
Craig, Officer-at-large; and Bob Brown,
Joel, and Phil Kosin serve as Trustees.
The Miami Valley S Gaugers
(MVSG) met at the home of John
Clifford, for their March meeting..
MVSG member John Clifford is
President of the club and is coordinating
the supply of club name badges. The club
is brought, set up, and operated their lay-
out at the Spring S Spree held on March
30/31, in Hilliard, OH.. The club recent-
ly bid farewell to long- time member and
active club secretary, Norman Haas.
Norman and his wife, Pat are moving out
of state and will not be able to continue
their activities with the club. The club is
planning for the 2008 Spring Spree to be
hosted by the MVSG on May 2/3, 2008 at
the Crossroads Expo Center, Poe Avenue,
Dayton, OH. Plans for a Spree car are
underway, and it will be made by S
Helper Service. Denny White is the event
chairman, and Bob Guckian is handling
registration as the club secretary. Recent
elections resulted in the following officers
of the club: John Clifford, Pres.; Dennis
White, Treasurer; Tony Garza, Corres.
Sectry.; and Rick Smith, Board Member.
The Central Ohio S Gaugers (COSG)
recently hosted the Spring S Spree,
held on March 30/31 in Hilliard, OH. The
two-day event included various activi-
ties, including a large train trading hall,
banquet, clinics, train races, operating S
layouts, a Friday night pizza party, and a
“building in a bag clinic”. Thomas
Brinker coordinated the registration for
the event. Janet and Art Lofton hosted
the club for a meeting on March 18, in
Westerville, OH. and Dana and Kim
Davis hosted the club members on April
15, in Ostrander,OH. Alan Evans edits
the club newsletters, distributed via e-
mail. The club set up and displayed their
layout at the Buckeye Memorial Show, at
the Lausche Building, on April 21. Set up
was on Friday for the show.
The Stateline S Gaugers (SLSG) met
at the home of Bob and Barbara
Disse, in Poplar Grove, IL. for their
March meeting. Dave Pippitt hosted the
club meeting on April 15, in Rockford,
IL. and club president Dick Bird will host
the club members for their May meeting
in Oregon, IL. The club newsletter is
edited by Vera Flood, and issues provide
interesting facts about railroads and the
club activities. SLSG club officers
include: Dick Bird, President; George
Sorensen, V.P.; Vera Flood, Secretary;
Dave Pippett, Treasurer; and Dave
Oberholtzer, John Gianos and David
Wilma Board of Trustees members. The
club is planning for the 2009 S-Fest
which they are scheduled to host. A com-
mittee was formed which would have the
responsibility of the event and have the
club president Dick Bird as an ex-officio
member. Doug Allen has agreed to be
chairman of the event, and was included
in the seven members who will form the
committee to plan and organize the event.
The committee was appointed by
President Dick Bird. The SLSG is plan-
ning to have their annual picnic on Aug.
19, and details will be announced in the
near future.
The Southeastern Michigan S
Gaugers (SMSG) held their March
meeting at the home of Brooks Stover, in
Oakland, MI.. The host of the meeting
gave a clinic on his construction of S
structures. There was an auction of left
over items from the past NASG conven-
tion that was sponsored by the club.
Brooks has a newly-built S layout based
upon the Buffalo Creek & Gauley proto-
type RR with great scenery. The layout
operates S Helper Service 2-8-0 steam
locos which are typical of the prototype
railroad. Brook’s layout has been fea-
tured in nationally distributed model rail-
road magazines.
Ken Garber is president of the club and
Sig Fleischmann treasurer who gave a
report of the club treasury the meeting.
The club has set up a standing committee
headed by member Jerry Poniatowski
called the AF Committee that will be
staffed by several club member volun-
teers to provide support on AF trains to
the club members and any outside
requests for information. The SMSG will
consider additional committees that can
provide support to help others in the club
or not, on such subjects as DCC, opera-
tion, track work, S scale trains, etc. The
committees can provide a means of hav-
ing various club members participate in
the activity of the club and help others in
the areas that the committee addresses.
The committees would be standing in that
they would not change as a result of the
officer’s elections, although the commit-
tees could be changed at the desire of
those serving on them. Tom Hawley, sec-
retary, records the meeting minutes and
distributes them to the club members via
e-mail. The club has been invited to set
up a layout at the convention of the North
Central Region of the NMRA, to be held
26
in September. The April meeting was
held at the home of Earl Carlson, in
Oxford, MI. The club has 46 members as
reported at the meeting in April. The club
authorized Gaylord Gill to negotiate with
the owner of a building in Highland, MI.
for rental of the basement area where the
club could set up and work on their
portable modular layout. Jerry
Poniatowski will host the annual club pic-
nic in August. The club is planning to set
up and operate a layout at the National
Train Show in Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI on
July 27-29. Earl Carlson is coordinator of
the train layout display. Work sessions
at the newly rented space in Highland are
scheduled for Wednesdays at 67:30-10:00
P.M., and Saturdays from 9:00 A.M.-
10:00 P.M.
The Northern Ohio S Scalers (NOSS)
were hosted by John and Pat Henning
at their home in Valley City, OH. on
March 25. Chuck Klein, NMRA DIV. 4
Superintendent came to a recent club
meeting to meet with club members and
extend an invitation to the NOSS mem-
bers to attend the NMRA Division 4
meetings where guests are welcomed.
The NMRA meetings are held every sec-
ond Friday at the Church of the
Redeemer, Westlake, OH. Work contin-
ues on the club modules, with framing,
roadbed and track for the new corner
module was laid out and installed on the
module frame. The club recently wel-
comed new member Gary Chudzinski,
from Fremont, OH. Jack Sudimak coor-
dinates the club activity, and John
Henning edits and distributes the club
newsletter issues. The April issue of the
newsletter included an article describing
an Amtrak train trip taken by John Lanzer
with his wife Debbie, and son Dean from
Cleveland to California. They did some
sight seeing in California, and enjoyed the
Sacramento RR Museum, the site of a
past NASG convention some years ago.
The newsletter issues have been recently
“jazzed” up with color photos, and maps
for directions to various events described
in the letter. A recent issue had photos of
Gary Ippolito and Steffi Rickets who
recently celebrated birthdays. On Sunday
April 29 John Lanzer hosted a club meet-
ing at the Lafayette Methodist Church,
Lafayette, OH. There was a one-day mini
meet held at the church on May 5.
The Badgerland S Gaugers (BSG)
held elections at the end of last year,
and Steve Lunde is the new president of
the club. Dave Smukowski the past pres-
ident is recovering from knee surgery, and
reportedly doing well. The March meet-
ing is was held at the home of Roy
Meissner, in Merton, WI. on March 25.
This meeting is on the same day as the
Badgerland Train Trade Show, held at the
Knights of Columbus Hall, Greenfield,
WI. The members can attend and help
with the show and then attend the meet-
ing, which is not far from the location of
the show, according to the newsletter.
The BSG March show is the last one this
spring, and the shows will be resumed
with the September show.
The club recently welcomed new mem-
bers William Weissman, from Sussex,
WI. and Paul Bartelak, from Waukesha,
WI. The club recently set up their hi-rail
layout at the Society of Model Engineers
train show held at the Milwaukee School
of Engineering. It was a two day event
with set up on Friday. There is no admis-
sion charge for the show, and there were
some 20 layouts on display with a handful
of vendors. Doug Stoll suggested that the
club develop a BSG business card that
could be handed out at the various shows
and events where the club displays their
layout. Several members are planning to
design such a card and have it printed for
use of the club members. A recent listing
of club members included approx. 75 paid
members.
The AF S Gaugers of the St. Louis
Area (AFSGSLA) are busy planning
for the upcoming Fall S Fest to be held at
the St. Louis Marriott Hotel, on Nov. 2-4,
2007. Various events are planned includ-
ing a swap meet, train races, clinics, and
banquet. Moe Berk coordinates the club
events and Gary Mueller ably edits the
club newsletters.
The Inland Empire S Gaugers Assoc.
of the Pacific Northwest ( IES-
GAPN) had their annual banquet on
March 10 at Conley’s Place Restaurant,
Spokane Valley, WA. The event was a
success with 21 members and spouses
attending. Everyone liked the restaurant
and agreed that the club should have the
banquet there next year. Members
brought various S and RR related items
for sjow and display at the event. Pat
Spino brought a variety of AF commemo-
rative and other cars; Robert Bowen
brought two cars with a Boeing 747
Fuselage on them, and a Montana Rail
Link engine, car, and caboose; Jess
Bennett brought a President’s passenger
car with superbly detailed interior; Doug
Sassman displayed a sandhouse that he
built; and John Kettner brought the new
Alton set from AF. Members of the club
are planning a train trip, taking AMTRAK
to Kalispell, MT. and a ride through
Glacier Park, with possible return on the
same day. Vic Cherven, a recent new
member of the club, attended the event.
Vic is scheduled to host the club for a
meeting in October. The club brought
their layout to Pullman, WA. to the
Palouse Empire Train Show. Members
brought the layout on Saturday before the
show and stayed overnight to be at the
show on Sunday. They returned back to
the Spokane area on Sunday after the
show. The Palouse show was held at the
Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum,
Washington State University Campus,
Pullman, WA. Paul and Helga
Montgomery hosted the club meeting on
April 9, in Hayden Lake, ID. Jess
Bennett hosted the club meeting at his
home in Careywood, ID. on May 13, and
Bob Beshore offered to host the club in
June. The annual picnic of the club will
be held on July 21, hosted by Bud
Chadbourne. The IESGAPN is celebrat-
ing their 40 th anniversary this year and
will have an S gauge tank car made by
American Models. Bob Bowen is coordi-
nating the design and ordering of the car.
Jon Kettner ably edits the club newsletter,
and coordinates the club activities.
The S Say is the newsletter of the
Rocky Mountain Hi-Railers
(RMHR). The club members usually
meet on the third Saturday of every month
at the Boise City Government Buildings,
Boise, ID. In October , 2006 the club set
up and displayed their layout called the
Lookout Junction at Railshow-2006 spon-
sored by the Eagle Rock Historical
Society, in Idaho Falls, ID. Ten club
members and friends made a three day
trip to set up, operate, and dismantle the
layout for the two day show. Alan Udy,
Idaho Falls member, also helped with the
layout set up and operation. In December,
the club visited Phil Meyers to enjoy his
O gauge Lionel layout with operating
accessories, including some AF acces-
27
sories. Kelly and Merla Lloyd were in the
Boise area for the holiday season on a
transfer to England, but Lloyd explained
that he expected to be back in Boise in the
next year or so. The Lookout Junction
layout was assessed for its condition and
possible repairs that should be made. It
was decided to make protective plywood
caps for the three drop-in sections as were
designed by member Greg Lewer.
At the March, 2007 club meeting, work
was done to upgrade the layout including
a coat of paint. The RMHR is scheduled
to display their layout at two events this
year, including the Treasure Valley
Express convention of the Pacific
Northwest Region of the NMRA. The
convention will be held on August 11/12,
at the Doubletree Riverside, Garden City,
ID. The club is also planning on display-
ing their layout at the Eagle Rock
Historical Society sponsored annual train
show on October 13/14, in Idaho Falls,
ID. Shane Jibben handles the club funds
and reports at meetings on the expendi-
tures and income received by the club.
Two members of the club run the S-‘n-S
Trains business, which recently had new
storefront building erected in Steve
Blackburn’s yard. His partner Sam Rapp
was included in a photo of the facility, in
a recent newsletter issue of the club. The
business offers can motor conversion kits
for AF steam locos, and diesel locos. The
diesel conversions must be installed by S-
n’-S because of the complexity and dif-
ference in engines. John Eichmann edits
the club newsletter and coordinates the
club activities.
The Sacramento Valley AF Club
(SVAFC) sponsored the Flyer Fest
West 2007, held on May 4-6, in the Elk
Grove, CA. area. Don Rosa coordinated
registration for the event. The event fea-
tured a Sacramento Northern insulated
box car, produced and decorated by
Lionel, LLC. The car comes with AF
compatible trucks and couplers. The
event included a Friday night reception,
modeling contest, trading hall, clinics,
silent auction and raffles, BBQ Beef (or
chicken) dinner on Saturday with a guest
speaker talking about “Southern Pacific
Steam Power over Donner Summit”, and
on Sunday “ A Day at the Western
Railway Museum”, in Suisun, CA. One
feature of the event on Saturday between
Noon and 3:30 P.M. was the clinic held by
David Dewey, the AF editor for the
NASG, who offered diagnosis of prob-
lems with AF locomotives and acces-
sories. No repairs were made, diagnosis
only.
The Bay Area S Scalers (BASS) met
at the home of Arden Goehring in
Lodi, CA. on May 19. Ken Reiter held
the March meeting at his home in San
Jose, CA. Nine club members attended
the meeting and enjoyed the host’s around
the top of the garage layout operations.
Ladders and step stools were provided so
both tall and short could enjoy the train
operation. Ed Loizeaux will host the
clubmeeting in July, in Los Altos, CA.
The club is planning to set up and display
their layout at the Dunsmuir RR Days cel-
ebration on July 6-8. Following the set up
at Dunsmuir, the modules will be set up
and operated in late July at the San
Ramon Valley Museum, Danville, CA.
The club newsletter is edited by Graham
Henry, and Lee Johnson coordinates the
club activities. Barney Daehler is editor
emeritus of the newsletter.
BASS member Ed Loizeau had three vis-
itors from Milwaukee stop by to see his
layout. They were a producer, videogra-
pher, and sound engineer from PBS
Channel 10, in Milwaukee, WI. They
spent nine hours video taping the layout
for a future segment of the Tracks Aheadprogram that appears on Channel 10, in
Milwaukee. Ed’s layout uses the New
York Central as a prototype, and it has
large radius curves to operate large loco-
motives. Vic Cherven and his dad are
working on a layout room at their new
address, in northern Idaho. All the walls
in the room are painted blue, and a back-
ground scenic picture will be painted on
or installed before the bench work is
erected. The top of the bench work will
be about 40 inches above the floor of the
room.
The March meeting of the Southern
Calif. S Gaugers (SCSG) was held
at the home of Dennis Bagby, in Altadena,
CA. Dennis is in the process of re-vamp-
ing his layout to include additional aisles
for visitors, and sidings to store more RR
cars and trains. Ten members attended
the meeting, including the host, and a
new member, James McAuliffe, a scale
modeler who is a member of the Inland
Terminal S Scale Club. Club member
Gene Capron presented a clinic on
scenery construction. Gene brought a
,ountain section which showed the vari-
ous stages of the scenery construction.
Jeff Kruger gave a pitch for membership
in the NASG at the meeting. The SCSG
is discussing details of modular layout
tables and construction of same for a lay-
out that could be used for display at train
shows and other events. Jeff Nelson has
access to a wood working shop where the
parts for modules could be cut and assem-
bled, but the work would have to be done
on weekends. It was decided that a sam-
ple module would be constructed and
brought to a club meeting where the
members could decide to adopt it as their
standard module or make suggestions for
revisions to the module. Additional mod-
ule sections will be made by those mem-
bers so inclined, and a special meeting
will be scheduled for module construc-
tion. Jeff Smith donated the cost of a
module on behalf of Railmaster Hobbies.
Tom Mescher of American S Gauge, sup-
pliers of the Code 172 S track products, is
active in the club, and was glad to answer
questions at a recent club meeting, about
the track that he sells. Don Stratton host-
ed the club for their April meeting, in
West Covina, CA. Fourteen members
attended the meeting, the largest number
attending the club meetings since they
have organized. The host had recently
completed his layout to the point where
trains could be run. The layout measures
16 ft. x 16 ft. and has American S Gauge
track and turnouts. The layout operates
mostly AF and Lionel-AF equipment.
The club membership list includes 31
members. New members in attendance
were: Reggie Cunningham, Dan Kmet,
Tom Mescher, Jeff Smith, and a guest
Josh Bagby. Fred Ruby volunteered to
serve as treasurer of the club, and Gene
Capron volunteered to serve as the club
photographer. Jeff Kruger was the host
for the May club meeting in Altadena,
CA.
Your club column editor wishes to
thank those club members and clubs
that submit information on the activi-
ties and events that you organize and
attend. Please submit information and
newsletters for the column to David
Pool, 11 Bittersweet Trail, Wilton,
CT.,06897-3902 or e-mail at:
GREETINGSYou are likely aware that S scale inthe US was begun by Ed Packardof Cleveland Models who intro-duced his C-D (ClevelandDesigned) line of 3/16" scale trainsin 1937.
I have been researching the historyof these trains since 2003 or so,and have collected a number ofcatalogs and other sources of info,as well as put together a small col-lection of C-D train items.
The main goal of this project is toproduce an article(s) on C-Dtrains. I would also like to acquireexamples of all C-D kits, enginesand cars, which would make agreat display at a convention ormeet.
The assistance of fellow NASGmembers to further this projectwould be helpful. Perhaps a noticeor ad could be placed in the nextfew issues of the Dispatch.
Wanted - NASG member seeksinfo on Cleveland Model C-D Sscale trains. Desires to purchasecatalogs, kits, paper and carboardsides, built-up models, parts, etc.Article and display planned.- Richard Douglass360-720-9669, NASG member
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SGAUGERSThe April 14, 2007, meeting of theSouthern California S Gaugersturned out to be a very importantmeeting for several reasons. First,the host of the meeting DonStratton, displayed his recentlycompleted layout. He is the secondclub member to have completed alayout since joining the club. Thelayout is 16’X16’ in a 17’X20’room. Track is laid and the layoutwas operating during the meeting.Don used American S Gauge trackand turnouts. Don estimates a littlemore than a scale mile of track. Heis operating American Flyer and
Lionel American Flyer hi-railequipment. The second importantfact is that the meeting was attend-ed by 14, the largest number ofclub members. Attending the meet-ing were Dennis Bagby, GeneCapron, Terry Dillon, Jeff Kruger,Archie Mills, Jim Radke, RichardRowe, Fred Ruby, Don Stratton,and Skip Swenson. New membersin attendance were ReggieCunningham, Dan Kmet, TomMescher, and Jeff Smith and aguest Josh Bagby. The club list is31. A brief introduction was givenby each of the new club members.
The final item of importance is thatthe club voted to implement ayearly $10 dues. In addition a $2meeting fee was approved to com-pensate members hosting meet-ings. The annual dues are payablebefore June 1, 2007. Dues will beused for club projects. Fred Rubyvolunteered to be treasurer andhandle the petty cash. Calendaritems covered in the meeting wereModel Railroad Layout tour #6 –April 21. Flyer Fest West 2007 –May 4-6, in Sacramento. FullertonRailroad Days – May 5-6,Fullerton. G Guage GardenRailways – May 31-Jun 1, Ontario.Slim Gauge Guild Open HouseJun 3 & 5 Pasadena. NASGConvention – July 10-14 inBaltimore Md., and the NMRAConvention - July 22-28 in DetroitMI. Gene Capron has volunteeredto be the club photographer.
Following the business meetingDon Stratton had hi-rail equipmentrunning on his layout. Terry Dillonand Jeff Kruger then ran scaleequipment on the layout to test theAmerican S Gauge track andturnouts to determine if there wereany problems. The club will voteon which track to use for theplanned modules. S Helper tracksections were also available fortesting. Tom Mescher, owner ofAmerican S Gauge, gave a presen-tation about the track andanswered all questions. Tom indi-cated that American S Gauge trackis available in sectional or flextrack versions. Tom provided afact and price sheet to the club forfurther reference. Jeff Krugershowed the module sample thatJeff Nelson constructed for theclub. A construction worksheetwas passed out to allow any clubmember to build the module ontheir own. An additional meetingwill be scheduled for club mem-bers to meet and build modules. Anotice will be mailed with the dateand place. Jeff Smith was graciousenough to donate to the club thecost of building a corner modulesponsored by Railmaster Hobbies.The next meeting will be SaturdayMay 12, 2007 at the home of JeffKruger.
YORK STATISTICSFollowing are some interestingstatistics provided by Mike andLinda Marmer on the S-Trains list.
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EXTRA BOARD
I’M ON MY WAY TO THE NASG CONVENTION IN BALTIMORE.
SEE YOU THERE JULY 10-14!
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S-CALENDAR
July 10-14, 2007: NASGConvention Baltimore, MD. BestWestern Hotel, 410-033-9500.Tours will include layouts, MetroShops, B&O Museum and more.convention website for info:www.baafc.org.
July 22-28, 2007: NMRANational Convention, Detroit, MI.www.nmra.org/2007/. Several Slayouts on tour.
Sept. 2007 TBD: Annual FallGet-Together sponsored by theSouth Jersey S Gaugers. Checkwith SHS or the South Jersey linkat www.nasg.org.
Nov. 2-4, 2007: Fall S Fest, St.Louis, MO. New larger location -St. Louis Marriott Hotel near air-port. www.trainweb.org/afsgsla/.
Feb. 14-17, 2008: 23rd Sn3Symposium, St. Louis, MO. TenSn3 layouts, plus others,Manufacturers, clinics, contests, .Mariott St. Louis airport. 314-423-9700. Info, Jeff Boock 636-928-9969. website: www.sn3sympo-sium.org/2008symposium
Aug. 5-10, 2008: NASGConvention, Lowell, MA. DetailsTBA.
Bids open for NASG AnnualConventions -- 2009 and beyond.contact Lee Johnson, 2472 LariatLn., Walnut Creek, CA 94596-6635. 925-943-1590 - email:[email protected].
April York 2007:- Total registered: 14,235- TCA members registered: 9390- 1411 seniors over 10 years mem-bership.- 81 members disabled- 185 members registered an RV.- 103 new members joined.
S IN NON-S PUBLICATIONS- May ‘07 CTT: Short article onAF coupler converter by JoeDeger. - July ‘07 CTT: A six-page featureon the S hi-rail layout of DickKloes. Also an article on buildingan S and O hi-rail crossing.
BRIEF UK S HISTORYFrom the UK website it seems thatan Edward Bowness made a3/16th inch scale MidlandRailway 4-2-2 of mostly card-board and entered it in a contest in1896. Later, just after WWI, aCharles Wynne made some loco-motives to S scale of cardboardand wood. S scale then was knownas half-one (one-half of 3/8”scale). In 1935 there were a num-ber of letters in the Model RailwayNews about the practicality of thisHalf-One Gauge. Then in 1937 aHalfone Model company wasformed by Arthur Peake. The out-break of WWII put an end to anycommerical development in theUK at that time. During the warthe Americans at an NMRA con-vention officially titled 3/16thsscale as S. After the war S scale inthe UK was sporadic just like inthe U.S., except that AmericanFlyer toy trains gave the U.S. moreof a commercial base.
table and neither did Fred or Jim,so... considering the looks ofamazement and the praise-filledcomments we got, you can inter-pret that as you will. One modelmanufacturer (Gary Wright ofhttp://www.wrighttrak.com) evenstated that he will be buying bothHO and S scale versions of myforthcoming Seaboard Air LineTurtleback Box Car when they arereleased (hopefully before the endof this year). I took the HANDS-ON approach to increase the inter-est... allowing experienced model-ers to handle my models to get abetter look, and it seems to havemade an impression on most ofthem. I even found out from mylocal hobby shop owner whoappeared at the show that they arenow stocking some S scale detailparts and wheelsets... mainlybecause of my interest... but thiscould be a step in the right direc-tion to get some exposure.
Anyways... I'm doin' my part... so Iencourage the rest of y'all who aredoing something to step it up a lit-tle, and those of you who aren't toget it in gear!!! Based on one com-ment I heard from one gawker,. weneed to remember that all theseHO modelers are eventually notgoing to be able to work in HOscale due to the fact that none of usare getting any younger. Thereforea lot of them may someday belooking to step up to a larger scale.O SCALE WILL BE THATSCALE if we don't start showingthese folks what they obviouslyDO NOT KNOW about S... thevery thing I have stated on my SScale Promotional web page..."We ain't playin' with toys nomore!"
John [email protected] Georgia S ScalerMy S Scale Promotional Web Pagehttp://www.trainweb.org/seaboard/s-scale.htm
30
Railmail cont. from page 5
Miami Valley hi-rail layout corner as seen at the Spree
NOSS scale layout at the recent S Spree
Multi-scale tinplate layout at the Central Ohio O Scale club.
Photos by Jeff Madden
31
NEW- 2nd RUN FROM AMERICAN MODELS S-Scale !The largest 4-8-4 Northern ever built, Santa Fe’s war time 2900s
Never before made in S scale under development for almost 3 years!
• 23 inches long • Die cast metal • Weight, over 6 pounds • Weight of engine, over 4 pounds
• DC versions with smoke & choo choo sound $369.95 (Scale or Hi-rail)
• AC Flyer with smoke & choo choo sound only $399.95 (Runs on AF curve track).
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Features: New road numbers for the Santa Fe’s, die cast boiler, frame, wheel centers, pilot, cab, trucks, tender and trucks,
metal wire details. New LED Headlight, powerful 5 pole motor. Smoke (with on off switch in cab) choo choo sound with
2 chug per revolution mechanical piston drive unit. All 16 tender wheels are flanged and pick up electrical current. Fully
compatible with AF 20” radius track. Lifetime limited warranty. Shipping now. see web site for larger photographs.
Available from your S dealer or order direct from us.
Amer ican Models 10087 Colonial Industrial Dr. South Lyon, MI 48178Phone 248-437-6800 Fax 248-437-9454
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48401
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